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Famed hotelier Ian Schrager teamed up with architect Philippe Starck to transform a YMCA into this ingeniously designed, instantaneous hotspot. Once past the Hudson’s discreet, chartreuse-lit glass doors, guests ride up an enclosed escalator to a cavernous, dimly lit brick lobby topped with an ivy-covered, two-story-tall glass ceiling. On this floor lies the Hudson’s main attractions: The Library Bar in back features walls of leather-bound books, a purple pool table, overstuffed leather sofas, backgammon tables and naturally, a bar—all watched over by oversized prints of cows wearing hats. Further on is the hip Hudson Bar, with an impressive glowing floor and a Francesco Clemente ceiling mural, and the Hudson Cafeteria, renowned chef Jeffrey Chodorow's take on comfort food. Best of all is an Alice In Wonderland-inspired outdoor courtyard featuring whimsical oversized seats, potted plants and huge lanterns. Consider these gracious public spaces a blessing, since the 1,000 stateroom-style rooms are super-small though luxuriously appointed with crisp linens, light fixtures painted by Clemente, high-speed Internet access and Korres by Agua bath products. The two stunning multiple-bedroom penthouse suites, with huge terraces and amazing views, have been the scene of countless celebrity and fashion industry parties. — Nick Divito

Pros

Kind of like Disneyland, each section is its own little world. Guests enjoy priority access to the bars and restaurants, which can come in handy on busy nights.

Cons And also like Disneyland, the hotel has the potential to overwhelm. It really is more about the scene than the accommodations, hence the mingling masses in the lobby.